Travelex Money Card: No ATM charges + FREE WIFI

I’ve tried out a few currency cards on my adventures over the years and this one looks pretty good.

The Travelex Money Card supersedes Travelex’s Multi Currency Cash Passport card – and I think it’s much better. If you already have a Multi Currency Cash Passport, you can call Travelex and get the balance transferred to a new Travelex Money Card.

The Travelex Money Card is a prepaid card so you don’t have to worry about carrying loads of cash or putting your debit card in a foreign ATM (I stopped doing that after my card was cloned in Guatemala the moment I stepped over the border, but that’s another story).

This is what you get from the Travelex Money Card:

• Free ATM cash withdrawals (but be aware some overseas ATMs have their own fees)• Free use abroad – no foreign loading fees in shops, restaurants etc. as you load the local currency on your card• Mastercard exchange rate at loading• A smartphone app to top-up and check your balance (much better than doing it on a website)• Contactless payments• Merchant offers exclusive to Travelex• 24/7 global emergency assistance if your card is lost or stolen, including provision of emergency cash in the local currency where you are• Free wi-fi with Boingo

The free wi-fi a really cool perk for travellers as data roaming can cost a fortune if you venture out of Europe.You get three months’ Boingo membership, on up to four devices, from when you register the card or top it up. Basically, if you top it up for each trip, you get free wi-fi for each trip. You’ll need to sign up before you go and you can do this on the Travelex website: go to the Money Card page, enter your card number, then create an account to find and use Boingo hotspots.Boingo has more than 1 million hotspots around the world including numerous airports (e.g. Heathrow) so it will save you having to pay for wifi, or sit in Starbucks for hours, during long boring layovers. It also has hotspot in hotels, stadiums, shopping centres etc.

WARNING: Use the card for these currencies only and make sure you have enough money in the right currency before you go spending. Otherwise there’s a nasty 5.75% foreign exchange fee.

The small printThere are a couple of other things to watch out for too. Firstly, don’t load the card in GBP (why would you?) as there’s a 2% load fee. It’s free for FX (Foreign Exchange) loads though. And there are fees if you use the card in the UK – so don’t. Stick to just using it abroad. This is pretty standard stuff for prepaid FX cards – they’re designed for use abroad, not in the UK.

Also, be aware of a £2/month inactivity fee if you don’t use or top-up your card for 12 months. This won’t be a problem for regular travellers but if you go on holiday less frequently, make a diary note to add a few EUR or USD to the card each year. An additional or back-up card costs £5.

Fees:

There’s also an ATM limit of £500 each day.

If you’re not a big app fan you can also top up the card in Travelex store, on the Travelex website, on the phone or via bank transfer.The Mastercard exchange rate applies when you top up the card. It’s normally a pretty good rate and if a currency you want becomes good value you can load the card when it’s cheap and lock-in a decent rate.

In my opinion as a seasoned traveller, Prepaid FX cards are an essential for holidaymakers since the number of debit cards that offer free worldwide use slowly died a death. Metro Bank, Nationwide and Norwich & Peterborough building society all offered fee-free use abroad at some point. But Metro now charges outside Europe, and Nationwide has also started charging for overseas use. Norwich & Peterborough is in the process of shutting down all its current accounts. There are a couple of credit cards you can use fee-free abroad but I’m not a fan of getting into debt on holiday – a prepaid card is much better for budgeting. Keep your credit card for emergencies.

Groups

Or just get a monzo card.No fees for topping up, it just get loaded with £ (takes 2 seconds to 'top up' from within the app)No fees for spending abroad or cash withdrawals, and you can use it in the UK again no fees.No inactive fee.And no messing around topping up in the right currency, seems like a bit of a pain

3rd Apr 2017

Halifax Clarity?

3rd Apr 2017

there appears to be more fees than ever explain where is the most cost effective exchange is compared to Revolut card

3rd Apr 2017

writergirl74

Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut … Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut in pounds and when you spend in another currency it gives you the interbank rate there and then - which is great. With Travelex you can preload the card with different currencies and lock-in the exchange rate. E.g. if the pound was up against the Euro today, but you expected it to fall due to Brexit etc, you could buy Euros at today's rate and keep them on the card for your next trip. Also I thought the free wifi perk was pretty cool.

If you EXCHANGE your GBP into EUR on Revolut, you have locked in the rate. It's a great product, in my opinion

there appears to be more fees than ever explain where is the most cost effective exchange is compared to Revolut card

3rd Apr 2017

FX is shorthand for foreign exchange

3rd Apr 2017

I live in Éire, could I in theory use this card here with no fees given it's not the Britain?

3rd Apr 2017

discount4cash

there appears to be more fees than ever explain where is the most cost … there appears to be more fees than ever explain where is the most cost effective exchange is compared to Revolut card

​I feel the same the only thing that got my attention was the free wifi but would defo like a list of hotspots to see if its worth entertaining

3rd Apr 2017

discount4cash

there appears to be more fees than ever explain where is the most cost … there appears to be more fees than ever explain where is the most cost effective exchange is compared to Revolut card

Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut in pounds and when you spend in another currency it gives you the interbank rate there and then - which is great. With Travelex you can preload the card with different currencies and lock-in the exchange rate. E.g. if the pound was up against the Euro today, but you expected it to fall due to Brexit etc, you could buy Euros at today's rate and keep them on the card for your next trip. Also I thought the free wifi perk was pretty cool.

3rd Apr 2017

Eire uses the Euro? So, yes I guess you could.

3rd Apr 2017

On the fee side, it seems great if you use it abroad but fees apply in the UK or if you don't use it for a year etc. And obviously don't use it in a currency not on the list.

3rd Apr 2017

writergirl74

Eire uses the Euro? So, yes I guess you could.

Irish gov charges 5€ per year for debit cards and another 5€ for cards used in atms. I'm not sure if this card is liable, if it is it certainly negates the benefit!

3rd Apr 2017

writergirl74

Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut … Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut in pounds and when you spend in another currency it gives you the interbank rate there and then - which is great. With Travelex you can preload the card with different currencies and lock-in the exchange rate. E.g. if the pound was up against the Euro today, but you expected it to fall due to Brexit etc, you could buy Euros at today's rate and keep them on the card for your next trip. Also I thought the free wifi perk was pretty cool.

If you EXCHANGE your GBP into EUR on Revolut, you have locked in the rate. It's a great product, in my opinion

3rd Apr 2017

What's the minimum load? I currently have a Caxton and I think the minimum you can load it is £100. I always end up having to load £100 on my last day of holiday.

3rd Apr 2017

shatteredneon

What's the minimum load? I currently have a Caxton and I think the … What's the minimum load? I currently have a Caxton and I think the minimum you can load it is £100. I always end up having to load £100 on my last day of holiday.

Same here. It appears their minimum load is also £100:

How much can I order online (Min/Max)?Orders for collection at any … How much can I order online (Min/Max)?Orders for collection at any Travelex UK store are subject to a maximum value of £4,999.99 per person per day whereas orders for home delivery are subject to a maximum value of £2,500 per person per day. Office delivery orders are capped at £500 per person per day.All home and office delivery orders are subject to a minimum order value of £100. There is no minimum order value for orders for collection (excluding Travelex Money Card orders). Travelex Money Cards are subject to an initial minimum load amount of £100.

But by loading £100, you're always guaranteed access to the free wifi:

"**Wifi is provided by Boingo hotspots. Wifi access is limited to three … "**Wifi is provided by Boingo hotspots. Wifi access is limited to three months from registration and an additional three months each time you reload your card with £100 or more."

3rd Apr 2017

The Travelex card sounds like a dissimilar alternative to Revolut that may suit some people better if they have different requirements. In many ways though Revolut is the perfect card allowing seamless UK and international use and for me Revolut wins hands down.

Anyone using more than one currency MUST get one of these type of cards - the days of the high street swindle on exchange rates are 100% finished.

3rd Apr 2017

writergirl74

Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut … Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut in pounds and when you spend in another currency it gives you the interbank rate there and then - which is great. With Travelex you can preload the card with different currencies and lock-in the exchange rate. E.g. if the pound was up against the Euro today, but you expected it to fall due to Brexit etc, you could buy Euros at today's rate and keep them on the card for your next trip. Also I thought the free wifi perk was pretty cool.

You can also preload and lock in rates with Revolut if you top up and exchange at the time into your chosen currency. The advantage the Travelex card has over Revolut (apart from the free WiFi) is that there appears to be no limit to ATM withdrawals apart from the daily £500 cap; whereas Revolut now limits you to only £200 of ATM withdrawals a month (both are free and unlimited for card payments). On the other hand, Revolut's exchange rates seem better. For example, the exchange rate today for one Euro is 1.1397 with Travelex, whereas it's 1.1735 with Revolut. There is also no inactivity fee with Revolut (at the moment).

Edited by: "phiras" 3rd Apr 2017

3rd Apr 2017

Can this be used in Bulgaria if I pre-load card with sterling ?

3rd Apr 2017

Or just get a monzo card.No fees for topping up, it just get loaded with £ (takes 2 seconds to 'top up' from within the app)No fees for spending abroad or cash withdrawals, and you can use it in the UK again no fees.No inactive fee.And no messing around topping up in the right currency, seems like a bit of a pain

3rd Apr 2017

Just a silly question, i assume if i pre-load with £500 and £5 for extra card, i can add more funds later? and that there is not a charge if doing at a Travelex? also I assume there is no charge for card and no credit checks etc?Also getting Topcashback as well :-)

3rd Apr 2017

Revolut is better than this, unless you're big on ATM withdrawals.Have been using them since the start and they've been great.

3rd Apr 2017

oonaghmcgilloway

Can this be used in Bulgaria if I pre-load card with sterling ?

Pointless, this card is all about 'buying' the currency now and using it later, hence Travelex get the benefit of your money long before they need to lay it back out to the retailer where you spend it.

If you need a card for a foreign country and don't want to pre-load it, see if you qualify for a Halifax Clarity Mastercard, same free usage (no wifi), but can be used in any country and you simply make sure you don't pay in sterling.

3rd Apr 2017

Pau131g

Just a silly question, i assume if i pre-load with £500 and £5 for extra c … Just a silly question, i assume if i pre-load with £500 and £5 for extra card, i can add more funds later? and that there is not a charge if doing at a Travelex? also I assume there is no charge for card and no credit checks etc?Also getting Topcashback as well :-)

Correct on all counts - no fee to top-up as you do it online/app/instore

3rd Apr 2017

phiras

For example, the exchange rate today for one Euro is 1.1397 with … For example, the exchange rate today for one Euro is 1.1397 with Travelex, whereas it's 1.1735 with Revolut. There is also no inactivity fee with Revolut (at the moment).

You've just highlighted why this deal is complete rubbish X)Revolut must change during the day or else they'd lose money, what's it at the moment? TIA

Edited by: "justanotherpunter" 3rd Apr 2017

3rd Apr 2017

Halifax Clarity?

3rd Apr 2017

adriandocherty

If you EXCHANGE your GBP into EUR on Revolut, you have locked in the … If you EXCHANGE your GBP into EUR on Revolut, you have locked in the rate. It's a great product, in my opinion

Revolut's great but I think you can only pre-load GBP/EUR/USD - so Travelex might be a good option if you wanted to pre-load another currency, such as AUD or ZAR?

3rd Apr 2017

5.75% conversion charge

I use my Nationwide Flexplus - yes I pay for the account but you get the interbank rate for conversion and there are no fees. The account has many other benefits too - breakdown recovery Europe wide, worldwide travel insurance for entire family, mobile cover etc

3rd Apr 2017

don't forget with any of these cards that you load up with money. If the company goes under you lose every penny.

3rd Apr 2017

So in some ways it's better than Supercard:- Cash withdrawals- Free WiFi- Locked in exchange rate if the rate goes down

However, in some ways it's worse:- If you can't top it up for whatever reason before needing to make a purchase it's useless- Contactless (this is not a benefit, it's a pre-paid card so someone can spend money on it if they get hold of it)- Locked in exchange rate if the rate goes up

These things have existed for a while so I won't rate it 'hot', but it's good that the extra choice is out there for travellers.

3rd Apr 2017

0.5% Quidco for Travelex for all currencies.

3rd Apr 2017

K0YS

Halifax Clarity?

exactly - please expalin why this is a better deal than the Halifax Clarity card

thanks

EliTom

3rd Apr 2017

writergirl74

Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut … Travelex works in a slightly different way to Revolut. You load Revolut in pounds and when you spend in another currency it gives you the interbank rate there and then - which is great. With Travelex you can preload the card with different currencies and lock-in the exchange rate. E.g. if the pound was up against the Euro today, but you expected it to fall due to Brexit etc, you could buy Euros at today's rate and keep them on the card for your next trip. Also I thought the free wifi perk was pretty cool.

Has Revolut changed? When I used, I loaded GBP, converted to Euro (before Brexit vote), then spent in Euro (after Brexit vote).

I did not find them very easy to deal with (basically telling me that their T&Cs were wrong & would be updated soon - they gave a €650 fee free ATM per month value, then charged me when I hit the £500 equivalent - they did refund the fee eventually, but seemed to feel summarily changing terms was fine)! Noticed recently a 400 figure (can't recall if GBP or Euro) - I certainly never saw a notification let alone notice; summarily changed again?

Also watch out for the not so publicised Revolut fee - they only give interbank rates during trading hours (or did when I used last June) - rates during closed periods were significantly worse (to cover them for jumps on opening).

Edited by: "jnm21" 3rd Apr 2017

3rd Apr 2017

writergirl74

Revolut's great but I think you can only pre-load GBP/EUR/USD - so … Revolut's great but I think you can only pre-load GBP/EUR/USD - so Travelex might be a good option if you wanted to pre-load another currency, such as AUD or ZAR?

You're right about what currencies can be preloaded. You can, however, spend in most currencies and the conversion will be according to the exchange rate at the time of transaction.

3rd Apr 2017

sorry if this sounds silly. but my mother live abroad. with this card can i topup from the UK and she can withdrawn there without fees, changing the pounds to local currency is 5.75% charge only right?

3rd Apr 2017

peabrain

sorry if this sounds silly. but my mother live abroad. with this card can … sorry if this sounds silly. but my mother live abroad. with this card can i topup from the UK and she can withdrawn there without fees, changing the pounds to local currency is 5.75% charge only right?

Better actually, if you load the card in Euros for example, and pay by your UK £GBP debit card there is no fee, so your mum can draw her Euros fee free (so long as the ATM she uses doesn't have its own charges).

Am I best just sticking with Halifax Clarity credit card for going to the US? Only just applied for it following advice from MSE forums. I intend to pay it off straightaway.

deleted1545998

3rd Apr 2017

thelatics

But doesn't it have loading fees?

Loading is free. See fairfx.com/wha…sts for the breakdown of the costs. They do charge £1 to withdraw at the ATM so we always withdraw it all in one go. There is no fee for using the euro card or dollar card on transactions, only that ATM fee.

3rd Apr 2017

davidbrent

Am I best just sticking with Halifax Clarity credit card for going to the … Am I best just sticking with Halifax Clarity credit card for going to the US? Only just applied for it following advice from MSE forums. I intend to pay it off straightaway.

Yes, and you're better protected with a credit card with U.K. Law on your side.

3rd Apr 2017

I'm using the n and p account, and it's worked great, only would have liked if it was under Mastercard instead of Visa, and the max £200 value atm withdrawal per day is a big pain

3rd Apr 2017

lidds

Or just get a monzo card.No fees for topping up, it just get loaded with … Or just get a monzo card.No fees for topping up, it just get loaded with £ (takes 2 seconds to 'top up' from within the app)No fees for spending abroad or cash withdrawals, and you can use it in the UK again no fees.No inactive fee.And no messing around topping up in the right currency, seems like a bit of a pain

And you can spend the unused money in GBP when you are back.. also free ATM withdrawals in UK..